When patients were also taught the best way to lift heavy items in addition to healthy exercise, their risk of pain was reduced by 45 percent.

CSP Professional Health adviser Stuart Palma said: “Physical activity and exercise has long been known to be an effective treatment for lower back pain.

“1.6 million people in the UK suffer from chronic back pain each year and 25 percent risk losing their jobs.

“There are a lot of myths around pain such as people need to stay in bed and not move.

“This research once again contradicts those myths and confirms that keeping moving and participating in regular activity can help prevent and reduce back pain for people, keep them in work and has the added benefit of reducing rates of heart disease and diabetes.

“Physiotherapy effectively treats and prevents low back pain by removing the fear factor, and getting people moving again, in an effective and personalised way”.

**ENDS**

Notes to editors

For further information please call the CSP press office on 020 7306 1111, email pressoffice@csp.org.uk. Out of hours please call Jon Ryan, head of press & PR on 07917 091200 or John Millington, PR and social media officer, on 07766 994141.

Notes for Editors:

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the UK’s professional, educational and trade union body. We have more than 54,000 members, including chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers.

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The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 56,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers. Find out more about us.

A Company Incorporated by Royal Charter (England/Wales). Company registration number RC000107.